Sanpete schools’ response to speech mixed

Principals and community councils within the North Sanpete School District had mixed responses to President Obama’s speech to school-age children last week.

“Overall, it was a positive challenge by the President and good for the students,” said Principal John Thomas of Spring City Elementary, where they showed the speech in two sessions — one for grades 4-6 and one for grades 1-3. Most students participated except for those whose parents did not want them to watch.

But the speech was not shown at Moroni Elementary School.

“With the number of calls we had about parents keeping their children home, we decided it best to have the students in school where they need to be to learn,” said Principal Richard Squire. “However, we strongly encouraged all parents to talk with their children about the importance of education in their lives.”

At Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, permission slips were sent home to fifth- and sixth-graders telling parents about the speech. Almost all the fifth-graders were approved to watch it, and about two-thirds of sixth-graders were given parental permission. Those who did not have permission worked on homework in another room during the speech, said Principal Rena Orton.

“The students reacted positively to the speech, and we haven’t heard any negative comments from parents,” she said.

However, Mt. Pleasant Elementary didn’t show the speech to student under the fifth grade.

“We told concerned parents that we have a printed copy of the speech and that it would be available on the internet for their children to watch at a later time,” Principal Orton said. “We didn’t have any younger-grade parents object to their child not being able to watch the speech during the school day.”

North Sanpete Middle School showed the speech on Thursday, Sept. 10, said Mindy Ames.

At Fairview Elementary, the community council and school faculty reviewed President Obama’s speech, and they agreed to show it to the students on Monday, followed by a short discussion led by Principal John Allan.

“There was a consensus that his speech sends a very positive message and that we should share it with our students in grades K-6,” said Principal Allan.

In a newsletter distributed last week, Principal Allan invited parents to contact him with any concerns they had regarding the speech.